Decoupling service and network provider identification in wireless communications

Abstract

Aspects described herein relate to detecting wireless network services. A network identifier can be determined in a broadcast message received from a network entity, and a connection with a network related to the network entity can be established based at least in part on the network identifier. Using the connection, the network entity can be queried for information related to services available at the network, where the information may indicate one or more subscription providers related to the services.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for detecting wireless network services, comprising:
 determining, by a user equipment (UE), a network identifier in a broadcast message received from a network entity; 
 establishing a connection with a network related to the network entity based at least in part on the network identifier; 
 querying, using the connection, the network entity for information related to services available at the network; and 
 receiving, at the UE in response to querying the network entity, subscription information of the network, wherein the subscription information identifies a plurality of subscription providers supported by the network. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a type of the network, wherein querying the network is based at least in part on the type of the network. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein querying the network is based at least in part on determining the type of the network comprises a hotspot or an offload network, and wherein determining the type of the network is based at least in part on the network identifier. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a set of credentials for establishing an authenticated connection with the network based at least in part on the plurality of subscription providers. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising establishing a radio resource control (RRC) layer connection with at least one of the plurality of subscription providers over the network at least in part by specifying the set of credentials. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein querying the network entity comprises querying for an icon related to one or more of the services available at the network. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein querying the network entity comprises transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message or a non-access stratum (NAS) message to the network entity to query for the information. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network identifier comprises at least one of a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier (ID), a closed subscriber group (CSG) ID, an access network ID, a public network ID, or a private network ID. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the broadcast message comprises a system information block (SIB) that indicates the network identifier in an information element. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication from the network entity that the query for the information is supported by the network entity, wherein querying the network entity is based at least in part on receiving the indication. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network entity is an evolved Node B (eNB) or a mobility management entity (MME). 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for detecting wireless network services, comprising:
 an identifier determining component configured to determine a network identifier in a broadcast message received from a network entity; 
 a connection establishing component configured to establish a connection with a network related to the network entity based at least in part on the network identifier; and 
 a service querying component configured to query, using the connection, the network entity for information related to services available at the network, 
 wherein the service querying component is further configured to receive, at the UE in response to querying the network entity, subscription information of the network, wherein the subscription information identifies a plurality of subscription providers supported by the network. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the connection establishing component is further configured to determine a type of the network, and wherein the service querying component is configured to query the network based at least in part on the type of the network. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the service querying component is configured to query the network based at least in part on the connection establishing component determining the type of the network comprises a hotspot or an offload network, and wherein the connection establishing component is configured to determine the type of the network based at least in part on the network identifier. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the connection establishing component is further configured to determine a set of credentials for establishing an authenticated connection with the network based at least in part on the plurality of subscription providers. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the connection establishing component is further configured to establish a radio resource control (RRC) layer connection with at least one of the plurality of subscription providers over the network at least in part by specifying the set of credentials. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the service querying component is configured to query the network entity for an icon related to one or more of the services available at the network. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the service querying component is configured to query the network entity at least in part by transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message or a non-access stratum (NAS) message to the network entity to query for the information. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the network identifier comprises at least one of a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier (ID), a closed subscriber group (CSG) ID, an access network ID, a public network ID, or a private network ID. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the broadcast message comprises a system information block (SIB) that indicates the network identifier in an information element. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the service querying component is configured to receive an indication from the network entity that the query for the information is supported by the network entity, and query the network entity based at least in part on receiving the indication. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the network entity is an evolved Node B (eNB) or a mobility management entity (MME). 
     
     
       23. An apparatus for detecting wireless network services, comprising:
 means for determining a network identifier in a broadcast message received from a network entity; 
 means for establishing a connection with a network related to the network entity based at least in part on the network identifier; and 
 means for querying, using the connection, the network entity for information related to services available at the network, 
 wherein the means for querying receives subscription information of the network in response to querying the network entity, wherein the subscription information identifies a plurality of subscription providers supported by the network. 
 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for establishing the connection determines a type of the network, and wherein the means for querying queries the network based at least in part on the type of the network. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the means for querying queries the network based at least in part on the means for establishing the connection determining the type of the network comprises a hotspot or an offload network, and wherein the means for establishing the connection determines the type of the network based at least in part on the network identifier. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for establishing the connection determines a set of credentials for establishing an authenticated connection with the network based at least in part on the plurality of subscription providers. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the means for establishing the connection establishes a radio resource control (RRC) layer connection with at least one of the plurality of subscription providers over the network at least in part by specifying the set of credentials. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for querying queries the network entity for an icon related to one or more of the services available at the network. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for querying queries the network entity at least in part by transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message or a non-access stratum (NAS) message to the network entity to query for the information. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the network identifier comprises at least one of a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier (ID), a closed subscriber group (CSG) ID, an access network ID, a public network ID, or a private network ID. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the broadcast message comprises a system information block (SIB) that indicates the network identifier in an information element. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the means for querying receives an indication from the network entity that the query for the information is supported by the network entity, and queries the network entity based at least in part on receiving the indication. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the network entity is an evolved Node B (eNB) or a mobility management entity (MME). 
     
     
       34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for detecting wireless network services, comprising:
 code for determining a network identifier in a broadcast message received from a network entity; 
 code for establishing a connection with a network related to the network entity at least in part on the network identifier; and 
 code for querying, using the connection, the network entity for information related to services available at the network, 
 wherein the code for querying receives subscription information of the network in response to querying the network entity, wherein the subscription information identifies a plurality of subscription providers supported by the network. 
 
     
     
       35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the code for establishing the connection determines a type of the network, and wherein the code for querying queries the network based at least in part on the type of the network. 
     
     
       36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 35 , wherein the code for querying queries the network based at least in part on the code for establishing the connection determining the type of the network comprises a hotspot or an offload network, and wherein the code for establishing the connection determines the type of the network based at least in part on the network identifier. 
     
     
       37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the code for establishing the connection determines a set of credentials for establishing an authenticated connection with the network based at least in part on the plurality of subscription providers. 
     
     
       38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the code for establishing the connection establishes a radio resource control (RRC) layer connection with at least one of the plurality of subscription providers over the network at least in part by specifying the set of credentials. 
     
     
       39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the code for querying queries the network entity for an icon related to one or more of the services available at the network. 
     
     
       40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the code for querying queries the network entity at least in part by transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message or a non-access stratum (NAS) message to the network entity to query for the information. 
     
     
       41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the network identifier comprises at least one of a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier (ID), a closed subscriber group (CSG) ID, an access network ID, a public network ID, or a private network ID. 
     
     
       42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the broadcast message comprises a system information block (SIB) that indicates the network identifier in an information element. 
     
     
       43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the code for querying receives an indication from the network entity that the query for the information is supported by the network entity, and queries the network entity based at least in part on receiving the indication. 
     
     
       44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the network entity is an evolved Node B (eNB) or a mobility management entity (MME). 
     
     
       45. A method for advertising wireless network services, comprising:
 broadcasting a message including a network identifier, wherein the network identifier indicates a type of network; 
 establishing a connection with one or more user equipments (UEs); and 
 providing service information to the one or more UEs based at least in part on a service query, 
 wherein the service information comprises information of a plurality of supported subscription providers for at least one service available at the network. 
 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 45 , wherein the connection with the one or more UEs includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer connection or a non-access stratum (NAS) connection. 
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 45 , wherein the connection is an unauthenticated connection. 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 45 , further comprising establishing an authenticated connection with the one or more UEs based at least in part on the service information. 
     
     
       49. An apparatus for advertising wireless network services, comprising:
 an identifier broadcasting component configured to broadcast a message including a network identifier, wherein the network identifier indicates a type of network; 
 a connection establishing component configured to establish a connection with one or more user equipments (UEs); and 
 a service provisioning component configured to provide service information to the one or more UEs based at least in part on a service query, 
 wherein the service information comprises information of a plurality of supported subscription providers for at least one service available at the network. 
 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the connection with the one or more UEs includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer connection or a non-access stratum (NAS) connection. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the connection is an unauthenticated connection. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the connection establishing component is further configured to establish an authenticated connection with the one or more UEs based at least in part on the service information. 
     
     
       53. An apparatus for advertising wireless network services, comprising:
 means for broadcasting a message including a network identifier, wherein the network identifier indicates a type of network; 
 means for establishing a connection with one or more user equipments (UEs); and 
 means for providing service information to the one or more UEs based at least in part on a service query, 
 wherein the service information comprises information of a plurality of supported subscription providers for at least one service available at the network. 
 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the connection with the one or more UEs includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer connection or a non-access stratum (NAS) connection. 
     
     
       55. The apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the connection is an unauthenticated connection. 
     
     
       56. The apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the means for establishing the connection establishes an authenticated connection with the one or more UEs based at least in part on the service information. 
     
     
       57. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for advertising wireless network services, comprising:
 code for causing at least one computer to broadcast a message including a network identifier, wherein the network identifier indicates a type of network; 
 code for causing the at least one computer to establish a connection with one or more user equipments (UEs); and 
 code for causing the at least one computer to provide service information to the one or more UEs based at least in part on a service query, 
 wherein the service information comprises information of a plurality of supported subscription providers for at least one service available at the network. 
 
     
     
       58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 57 , wherein the connection with the one or more UEs includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer connection or a non-access stratum (NAS) connection. 
     
     
       59. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 57 , wherein the connection is an unauthenticated connection. 
     
     
       60. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 57 , wherein the code for establishing the connection establishes an authenticated connection with the one or more UEs based at least in part on the service information.